The Leadership Challenge by James M. Kouzen and Barry Z. Posner

People who guide others follow common patterns of actions. These patterns are not about actions, but about standard practices that the authors have forged into a dynamic model, the Five Practices of Exemplary Leadership:

Model the Way

Inspire a Shared Vision

Challenge the Process

Enable Others to Act

Encourage the Heart

These practices lead to credibility and because it makes such a difference, leaders must take it personally. Not only do employee loyalty, commitment, energy, and productivity depend on it, credibility also influences customer and investor attitudes. For this reason the authors advise: DWYSYWD – Do What You Say You Will Do.Part II: The Ten Commitments – Building your Competence to Lead

The authors note that a leader’s value is not only determined by a set of guiding beliefs, but also by his or her ability to act on these beliefs. Embedded in each of the Five Practices are behaviors, what the authors call “The Ten Commitments of Leadership.” They are:

Find your voice by clarifying your personal values

Set the example by aligning actions with shared values

Envision the Future by Imagining Exciting and Ennobling Possibilities

Enlist Others in a Common Vision by Appealing to Shared Aspirations

Search for Opportunities by Seeking Innovative Ways to Change, Grow, and Improve

Experiment and Take Risks by Constantly Generating Small Wins and Learning from Mistakes

Foster Collaboration by Promoting Cooperative Goals and Building Trust